Sound recorder



March 8, 1949. G. P. BRUBAKER SOUND RECORDER 5 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed June 28, 1943 INVENTOR March 8, 1949.

Filed June 28, 1943 G. P. BRUBAKER SO UND RECORDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E2E2fi 63 J-+ /8 YIIIIIIIIIIII INV E NTOR Geo/ye P Eruaker ,BY (I 7 ATTORNEY March 8, 1949. G. P. BRUBAKER SOUND RECORDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1943 v .INVENTQR Gaar e PEN/baker BY W ATTORNEY March 8, 1949.

G. P. BRUBAKER SOUND RECORDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 28, 1 945 24 III/1114 p M I n u w m v E NTO R Geo/ye R ranter BY Zl/m/ ATTORNEY Ll "I Patented Mar. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES EATENT OFFICE SUUND RECORDER York Application June 28, 1943; Serial No. 492,538

Claims. 1

This; invention relates to sound apparatus, and particularly to apparatus utilizing a stylus for recording sound on a record blank.

This type of recorder is now well known. It may take any of several forms; for example, it may utilize, as a record blank, either a cylindrical member or a disc, or a strip of flexible material. As the record blank is moved past the stylus, the stylus head is caused to move laterally to the movement of the blank. Usually this lateral movement is effected by a lead screw operated by the source of motion that moves the blank.

It is one of the objects of this invention to improve, in general, apparatus of this character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a. novel mechanism for controlling the movement of the stylus head, including a mutilated nut that can be coupled or uncoupled at will, and in response to the lifting or lowering of the stylus with respect to the record.

It is still another object of this invention to make it possible effectively to use record blanks that are quite thin on a rotating table, without danger of relative movement between the table and the record. This object is accomplished by utilizing a resilient force clamping the center portion of the disc blank to the table.

It is still another object of this invention to facilitate the placing of the record'blank in operative and centralized position on the table.

It is still another object of this invention to ensure that the table will be started and stopped without abruptness, thus preventing intolerable irregularities in angular motion of the. record blank.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this. invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view, partly in section, of a recorder incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus illustrated in Fig; 1;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6' are sectional iews, taken respectively along the correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 2;

Figs. '7, 8, 9, and 10 are sectional views, taken along correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane ll-Il of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 12-42 of Fig; 1;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane lE-IB of Fig. 2;

Fig. l l is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, illustrating the manner in which one of the controlling levers may be operated for rendering the lead screw feed inactive;

Fig. 15 is a sectional View, taken along plane iiil5' of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16' is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating the stylus head lifted from the record;

Fig; 17 is aview similar to Figs. 5 and 16, but illustrating another position of the stylus head in which the stylus is lifted from'the record and the lead screw feed nut is uncoupled from the lead screw;

Fig. 1-8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the turntable, parts of the turntable being broken away; and

Fig. leis a sectional-view taken along l9-l'9 of Fig. 18.

The record is intended to be made upon a thin record blank I of disc form (Figs. 1, 2, and 3). This record blank may be made from any desirable form of plastic material capable of being impressed by a recording stylus 2 (Figs. 2 and 5). The record blank I is supported upon aturntable structure 3 (Figs. 2, 3, and 4'). This turntable structure, as will be explained hereinaftenis driven about an axis 4 (Figs. 2 and. 3), so as to advance the record blank I with .respect to the stylus 2. Simultaneously, the stylus 2 is caused to move transversely across the face of'the record blank i to produce a spiral groove recordina well understood manner.

The manner in which the turntable structure 3 is driven, and serves to support the record blank i, may now be described.

A stationary frame 5 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and ,5) serves as the main support for substantially all of the operating parts of the apparatus. This frame 5 may be a casting appropriately ribbed for strength, as indicated, for example, at 8 (Figs. 3 and 5). Around the edge of frame 5, a flange 1 is provided (Fig. 2). To this flange may be appropriately secured sheet metal cover mem- 3 bers 8, forming a box-like structure below the top of frame 5. This box-like structure may be appropriately reinforced at the corners and may be provided with appropriate feet (not shown).

The turntable structure 3 is supported rotatably on frame 5. For this purpose it is provided with a spindle 9 that is journalled for rotation in a standard II] (Figs. 2, 3, and 5). This spindle 9 serves to constrain the motion of the turntable structure 3 angularly about the axis 4. The standard III is shown, in this instance, as fastened to the lower surface of the frame 5, as by the aid of a flange II, integral with the standard I9. Furthermore, the standard I has a pair of spaced bearing bushings I2 and I3 (Fig. 3) in which the spindle 9 is journalled. The lower end of the spindle 9 is shown as supported upon a thrust bearing including a ball I4 resting upon the plug I5 which is disposed in the bottom of the standard II].

The record blank I is disposed upon the upper table member I6, the upper surface of which is provided with a resilient non-slip facing I6 formed of a thin layer of rubber or other appropriate material secured to member I8 as by a suitable adhesive. This table member is attached to a hub I! that is securely fastened to the upper part of the spindle 9. The lower member I8 is axially spaced from the upright table member I8. The drive for the turntable is provided by frictionally engaging and driving the lower surface of member I8, as by a rubber covered roller I9 (Figs. 2 and 16). The manner in which the roller I9 is driven will be described hereinafter. It is sufficient, for the present, to note that this roller l9 extends through an appropriate opening or slot 20 in the frame 5, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 5, to engage the member I8.

The rotation thus imparted to the member I8 is transmitted to the upper table member I6 through a resilent connection. In this way, a cushioned drive for the record blank I is secured, harmfully abrupt changes in angular velocity being thus avoided, even in the process of starting and stopping the turntable structure 3. This resilient connection is illustrated most clearly in Figs. 3, 18, and 19. It includes the sponge rubber pads 20, three of which pads are shown in the present instance. These sponge rubber pads are attached at their upper faces to the lower surface of the table member I6, as by an appropriate adhesive. Each pad, furthermore, is fastened to the free end of a corresponding spring finger 2|. The other end of the spring finger 2| is attached as by a screw 22 to the lower surface of the table member I8.

In order to couple the drive member I8 to the sponge rubber pad structure, each of the fingers 2| is provided with an aperture 23 adapted to accommodate pin 24 that is fastened to the lower drive member I8.

Thus, to assemble the table structure 3, the lower member I8 is first placed in proper relative angular position with respect to the table member I8, bringing the pins 24 int alinement with the apertures 23, and then the parts It and I 8 are moved toward each other to telescope the pins into the apertures.

In order to prevent total separation of the parts I6 and I8, after thus assembling them, use is made of a number of stop members 25 (Figs. 3, 17, and 18). Each of these stop members has a horizontal portion 26 attached to the lower face of the table member I. Each stop member 25 projects through the central aperture 21 of the drive member I8 and has a horizontal stopping extension 28 projecting beneath the edge of the aperture 21.

The roller I9 is driven from a motor 29 (Fig. 2) This motor is shown as appropriately supported on the lower side of frame 5, as by the aid of a resilient mounting 38. Through appropriate reduction gearing, the motor 29 drives a roller 3I. This roller 3I has a periphery that is knurled and in frictional engagement with the roller IS.

The driving shaft 43 (Fig. 5) for the roller 3| is shown as having an axis 32 (Fig. 2) inclined with the horizontal and is shown as joined to the output shaft of motor '29 through a pair of flexible coupling structures 33 and 34. The bearing bracket 35, carried by the frame 5, serves as a support for the right hand end of the driving shaft 43,

The driving roller I 9 is so mounted that it may be urged resiliently into contact with both the power roller ill and the lower drive member I8 of the table structure 3. For this purpose, it is shown as freely rotatable on a non-rotary shaft 36. The roller I9 is provided with a hub 31 confined against axial movement by the collars 38, spaced along shaft 36. The right hand end of the shaft 36 is shown as accommodated loosely in a slot in bracket 39 fastened to the frame 5.

The roller I9 is urged into engaging position by the aid of the spring 49 (Fig. 5). One end of the spring is anchored to an anchor plate 4I carried by one of the collars 38. The other end of the spring is anchored to a similar anchor plate 42 fastened to one of the ribs on the frame 5.

Since the rubber periphery of roller I9 is convex, exact parallelism of the shaft 38 with the lower surface of drive member I8 is not essential; and the spring 49 can move the shaft 36 into a position where the rubber periphery of roller I9 is in proper driving relation with the power roller 3I and the drive member I8.

Provisions are made for ensuring that the record blank I will be effectively clamped to the table member 55. For this purpose a coupling member 44 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) may be used. This coupling member has a coupling flange 45, the lower surface of which is provided with serrations or teeth 46 urged against the blank I. This coupling member 44 is shown as joined to the lower end of a rod 41. This rod 41 is guided for axial movement in a sleeve 43. This sleeve 48 is shown as having a flange 49 contacting the lower side of a stationary bracket 58. This bracket is supported on a stationary support 5|. The manner in which this stationary support is mounted will be hereinafter described.

The coupling flange 45 is urged resiliently against the record blank I by a compression spring 52 that is disposed around rod 41, and that has its upper end in contact with the flange 49 of sleeve 48. The force exerted by the coupling flange 45 urges the record I against the resilient facing IE on turntable 3, thereby preventing slippage of the record on the turntable. Further, the serrations on the coupling member ensure against slippage between the coupling member 45 and the record I. Thus, when the coupling member is in record holding position, the coupling member and the record are caused to rotate uniformly with the turntable 3.

The centering of the record blank I on the table structure 3 is accomplished expeditiously in a: manner: now to be described; In this: conned-'- tion; attention is' particularlyinvitedto Flgs. 1, 2 3, andfi'.

Mounted-onthe frame are a pair of abutments' or stops 53. These'stopsare'quite' closely spaced' from the edge ofthe upper table member l6. They are angularly spaced about theaxis 4 of the turntable and in suchmanner-that'the record disc t can he .slid over the upper'table-member- I61 and-the blank will be stopped by=the abutments 53 in a position approximating: central of the' turntable structure. This movement of the record disc l'is accomplished while the couplingmember '45 is'elevated against the pressurelof spring 52' in a manner tobe' hereinafterdescribed.

The act of'lowering the coupling; member 45 serves more accurately to posit-ion the record blank I. Forthis purpose therecordbl'ank I-is centrallyapertured to correspond with the diam]- eter of a downwardlyextending projection 54' (Fig. 3) carried by the couplingfiange- 45; This; projection 54 terminates in a taper- 55 and is, accommodated ina recess 55 in the upper partof the spindle 9. Accordingly, as the coupling member-45 moves downwardly,- thetaperedportion 55 co-operates with the edge of the aperture in blank I to. bring the blank] intosubstantially. exact register with the table member I6.

Rotation of the turntable structure 3. by roller 19 also causes rotation of a lead screw structure for moving the stylus 2 in a general radial direc= tion with respect to the record blank I,.

For "this purpose a' lead screw shaft 51' (Figs. 1, 2, and 3') is arranged with its axis 58 parallel to theupper'surface of the table st'ructurep3. The lead screw shaft has a threaded portion. 59' ar ranged to co-operate with anut structurai. as hereinafter explained, for moving a support for the stylus 2.

The shaft 51 is mounted for rotation at its right hand end by the aid offthe. pivot screw- 6.0; (Fig. 1) which is threaded into a boss formed on a standard or bracket 61. This bracket 61 is shown as formed integrallywith the irame 5...

At: the opposite end. the, shaft, 51 issupporte'd support 64. ThisJbealing support. 64 encloses a.

compression spring 65. that. urges. the shaft. 51' resiliently against the pivot screw 60. The spring 65, in this. instance, is shown as accome modated within a sleeve 65 having a knurledihead Gland telescopinginto the left ha'nd side of'the support .64. A set screw 6L8"holds the sleevefifi. in position in the support 64. Removalofset. screw 58 permits removal of sleeve 66 andith'ereafter the shaft 51 may be easily removedthroughthe support 64.

A dust excluding felt washer 6.9, surroundingshaft 51, may also be supported on themember 64" adjacent the right handendthereofj.

Rotation of the lead screw 5.9.is derivedfrom the rotation of the turntable structurev 3by'the, provision of a worm 1.0 fastened to the rod 41 (Figs. 2, 3 and 14.) This worm 15. is shownas having steep multiple threads co-operating with the worm wheel 1| fastened to the-shaftr51.

'As' the rod 41 is lifted to free the coupling member 'from therecord blank-1, the'worm 10- is also lifted, as indicated in dotted lines irrFig; 14-. The wheel 1| does not interfere" witlrthis' movement of the worm, since"the-:worm threads} have a steep pitch.

A2 limit r. is: placed? upon: the upward movement of wormw 101 by; the upper 'horizontal arnr-12 of brack'eti 50'. The. rod 4'1 extends through this upperarm 12 for additionally guiding the'rod forr-axial-movement.

The mechanism for elevating the coupling.

flange 45 is best described in connection with Figs. 1-, 2; 3'} 13, 14, and-15.- Thus,- a lifting-lever 13 is provided which is pivoted'at an intermediate point-in a bearing support 14-1 bearing t support 14 15-; provided with. an upwardly extending bracket- 15 by the aid" of which it' is" fastened" to the left l'ian'djside" 0f= the supportingv arm 5|. 'The'lever' 13- maybe'prm vided with an pin journalled 2 in the bearing support 14 I and restrained in: any appropriate: mannert'againsrremoval-in an axial'dlrection; The rightit hand end," of the; lever" 13" carries a: lifting pin116 ('seezparticularlyl ig; 3) that'zextends bee low the lower edge oft'tlie :wormi1 0':

Counter-clockwise; rotation. of lever 13, as viewed Fig. 2, causes engagement. of: the pin 18 with the lowertedge ofworm 'lfiand'a consequent'raising ofltlierodfi'l; This, in. turn, causes 1 the; spring. 52 to be cQmpressed; andithe. coupling member 4 5."is raised enough to release; the record blank 11. Manipulation of 'lever13; is facilitated by, the. provision of'ajfihger grip 11. The raised position. correspondin to release ofJ'the record blank 1; may be indefinitely maintained by an. appropriate lock; mechanism; for example, as shown m st' learlyinF s. 1; .2. and "1 3; the finge g s'prqvided'witha shank. 16.0; axially. slidable .in a. boss [8. fbrmedintegrally.witntlie lever 13; This fingergrlp .v 1,1.is:urgedllqward1thc.right, as viewed in Fig. 13;. bfyja. GOIILPITBSSiOILspIihg. 1.9. acting against a washerztfifcarried Ontheshank 16,01. In the path of. axial movement of "thismshank. ,there is a, stationarvfplatc. B1. appropriately supported on; the bracket 62'. Inthe positioninwhichthe coupling member 45115113. operative relation to. the. recordblankl I; the finger grip 11extends slightly below-.thetop, edge oftheplatefll. A's, however; the .lever 1f3ilis tmoved .to ,the. dottediline position of'Fi'g. 14 raising, the. worm-10', thesh'ank, I60 is urgedbelovv thelowenedge of plate 81 andlserves. asi-an abutment, against return of. the. lever 13 to. the full'line position of 'Fig. 14. Optionally, vhowever: the linear piece 11"mavbe pulled'outwardly toiree shank fli'nfrom .the'lower ed e offplatefll and, in this way; the operator is .permitted'to. return l'ever -13to.the fulI line position ofFig, 14.

The" shaft 51 which; carries theleadscrew 55. may be conveniently used: for supporting the arm 5|: For'this purposeithe arm5fl carries a sleevelilqe memben82 (Figs. land 14,) through whichv the shaft'51fextend's. The'right handendoi the arm' 51; as' viewed; in Fig.. 3;, is attached to a; guiding rod- 83" thathas'an axis parallel. with the shaft 51 and that is fixedfagainst rotation in a mannertdbe'described; In order 'to1fix the -arm 5ljtorod 8.3; it is 'providedwith .aboss 8'4(Figs. 1' and 3:) throughwhich pass radially extending set screws 8-5. The ends :of-' the; guiding rod" 83;. are attached respectively tothe brackets 6landi62, as by the aid of screws 85threadedintothe apertures iirthe-ends oft-hisrod'.

The brackets BI and 62 alsoform a support forslieet' metal cover 81'; shown; toib'est advantage in-Figs; 2"; 3514; 5'-,{ and '12; This sheet metal. cover extendsoventhetop of the bracket50, asshown most clearly'in-Fig'. 3;,and has a-frontgdownward- 1y extending edge. 88, immed1'ate1yinfrontofftlie lever l-ti 'As-isliownmostclearlyimFigsi .I'and13.

the passage of the finger grip 11 for manipulating the lever I3. Furthermore, as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 14, a felt dust washer 90 may be interposed between the top of bracket 50 and the cover 81. This cover is apertured for the passage of rod 41 (Fig. 14) when the coupling flange 45 is raised.

The stylus 2 is shown as projecting from a stylus head 9|. This stylu head encloses the usual electric elements affected by electrical impulses for vibrating the stylus 2 in accordance with the sound impulses to be recorded. Since such apparatus is well known, further description of the head 9| is unnecessary.

The head 9I is supported for pivotal motion on a horizontal axis in a frame 92 (Figs. 1, 4, 5, '7, 8, and 10). This frame 92 is of general U-shaped configuration, the legs of which serve to support the pivot screws 93 and 94 (Fig. 7) for the head 9|. These pivot screws may be locked in adjustment by the aid of the lock nuts 95.

The stylus head 9! is urged in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, to provide a recording pressure on the blank I. This recording pressure may be obtained by the aid of a tension spring 95. The lower end of this tension spring 95 is attached to a spring anchor 96 fastened to the rear upper edge of the head 9|. The upper end of spring 95 is shown as projecting through an aperture 91 in the top of frame 92. It is anchored by the aid of a plate 98 carried by the frame 92. This plate 98 has a keyhole slot 99 (Fig. 1) therein. The spring 95 can pass through the large portion of the slot. After the spring tension has been adjusted by a pull exerted on the upper end of the spring to provide the desired stylus pressure, the spring may be moved into the narrow portion of the keyhole slot, and the spring is thereby anchored in the plate 92 The lead screw 59 is arranged to cause a traversing movement of the frame 92, and a corresponding movement of stylus 2. For this purpose, the frame 92 is slidably guided on the guide rod 83. Thus, as shown most clearly in Fig. 8, the frame 92 is provided with a boss I at its right hand end, through which the guide rod 83 passes; and at its left hand end the frame 92 is provided with the clearance aperture IOI. In order to exclude dust, felt washers I02, I03 may be held against the left and right hand edges respectively of the frame 02, as by the aid of the brackets I04, I05. In order to ensure against cocking action of the frame 92, the frame may be provided with an arm I06 (Figs. 2, and 8) that carries at its left hand extremity an apertured boss I0'I. This boss I0! is slidable on the rod 83. Felt dust excluding washers on opposite sides of the boss I01 may be provided and may be held in place by the bracket I08 fastened to the top of the boss I01.

The frame 92 is slidably supported not only on the guide rod 83, but is also guided by the lead screw 59. In this way, the lead screw 59 serves to prevent any angular motion of the frame 92 about the axis of the rod 83.

The manner in which the lead screw 59 is used as a guide is shown most clearly in Figs. 9 and 11.

Thus, the lead screw 59 passes through bushings I09 and I I0 that are supported by the frame 92. These bushings have internal cylindrical apertures III that form a slide fit over the threads of the lead screw 59.

The sleeves I09 and H0 are shown as disposed in slots II2 formed-between the armsIIS and 8 H4 projecting from the front edge of the frame 92. The sleeves are held in place by the aid of screws II5, accommodated in the upper arm H4, and projecting into the annular groove IIB provided on each of the sleeves I09 and I I0.

The lead screw 59 is coupled to the frame 92 for traversing the frame by the aid of a mutilated nut II'I (Figs. 4 and 9). This mutilated nut is shown as mounted at the front edge of a sheet metal support II8 (see also Figs. 7 and 8). This sheet metal support is attached to a pivot shaft II9 located between the legs of frame 92. This shaft H9 is pivotally supported in the frame 92 by the pivot screws I20 (Figs. 7 and 8).

Resilient means are provided for urging the mutilated nut III downwardly into co-operatlve contact with the lead screw 59. For this purpose the frame 92, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, carries a leaf spring I2I. This leaf spring is bifurcated at its left hand edge, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, to accommodate the head of one of the screws I22 that attach the mutilated nut II I to the frame II8. A stiffening leaf spring I23 is also provided. Both these leaf springs are attached to the frame 92 adjacent the edge of an opening I24 that is formed in the top of the frame (Figs. 4 and 9). This opening is large enough to pass the mutilated nut III as it is moved upwardly out of contact with the lead screw 59.

When the mutilated nut III is in the active position of Fig. 4, rotation of the lead screw 59 is such that the frame 92 of the stylus head 9I is moved from right to left, as viewed in Fig. 1. Thus, the recording begins at the outer edge of the blank I and progresses toward the center thereof. Of course, the arrangement may be reversed if desired. The position of the stylus 2 on the record blank I may be indicated by the aid of a pointer arrangement. Such a pointer I25 (Fig. 5) is shown as co-operating with a scale I26 (see also Fig. 2). This scale I26 is supported on the front wall 88 of the cover member 81. The pointer I25 is arranged to be moved with the frame 92. For this purpose, the pointer I25 carries a lateral extension. I21 which is fastened to the front edge of the frame 92.

When it is desired to lift the stylus head 9I off the record blank I, the stylus head may be moved in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot. This movement of the head 9| is such that it may also serve to urge the mutilated nut I I! out of contact with the lead screw 59. For this purpose, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 5, 15, and 17, the upper forward edge of the stylus head 9| carries an arm I28 having an upright portion I29. This upright portion I29 is arranged to co-operate with the lower surface of the nut I'I'I when the stylus head 9I is raised sufficiently. Thus, in the position illustrated in Fig. 17, the upright member I29 has contacted the nut III and has moved it up out of co-operative relation with the lead screw 59.

The lifting of the stylus head 9| and simultaneous lifting of the mutilated nut III may be accomplished by the aid of a lever I30 (Figs. 5, 7, 8, and 19). This lever is shown as pivotally mounted upon the pin I3I (Fig. 8) that has a threaded extension I32 fastened in the right hand side of frame 92. The forward end I33 of the lever I30 is knurled to provide a grip for the fingers of the operator. This forward end projects beyond the front cover portion 88, slotted for permitting operation of the lever I30.

Thelever: I39 is shown in the inactive position in Fig. .5. In this position its upper edge is spaced below a projection I34 (see particularly Fig. that is carried at the top of the stylus head 9i. However, as the lever I39 is moved in a clockwise direction, its upper edge engages the projection I3d and the stylus head -9I may be moved to the inactive position of Fig. 17,

Means are provided to lock the lever I39 releasably in either the inactive position of Fig. 5, or the active position of Fig. 1'7. For this purpose, lever I39 carries a segment I35 (see also Fig. '7). Thissegment I35 is provided on its inner face with a pair of tapered recesses I35 and I31. These recesses are adapted to co-operate with a pin I38 that is slidable in the right hand wall of frame 92 and is urged toward the right by a leaf spring I39. This leaf spring I39 is-shown as fastened to one side of the frame 92 asby the bolt I40 (see particularlyFigs. 8 and 10).

The free end of the pin I38 is rounded so that it moves readily into either one of the tapered recesses I36 and I3! as one or the other of them movesinto alinement with the pin; and the pin is urged outwardly by the tapered walls of the recesses as therecesses are moved out of alinement with the pin. The lever I30, as seen in Fig. 7, is releasably locked in inactive position by the'pin I38. When the lever I39is moved upwardly, the pin I33 is urged toward the left, freeing the lever I39; and, upon continued movement, the pin I38 is urged by the spring I39 into the other recess I31. This position corresponds to the active position of the lifting lever I30, the stylus head 9| being lifted, and the mutilated nut III also being lifted.

In order to guide the movement of the lever I30, an overhanging bracket I4] (see particularly Figs. .5, 7, and 1'?) may be supported on the right hand wall of the frame 92. The segment I35 of lever I39 is disposed within the space defined by the bracket MI and the frame 92.

The strength of spring I39 is such that the lever I39 may be retained in the position shown in Fig. 1'7 for any desired period, and against the force of spring 95 (Fig. 4). When the head BI is thus freed, it :may be moved by lever I30 transversely of the record blank I toany desired position, as, for-example, to the beginning of a new record. After the new position is reached, the lever I30 may be returned to its inactive position of Fig. 5,

If, however, the apparatus is to be maintained out of use for a more extended period, the lever I39 may be hung on a bracket I92 (see particularly Figs. 1 and '2). This bracket I42 is shown as "supported upon the main bracket 6|. It forms a space in-which the front end I33 of the lever I39 may bedisposed asshown in the dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the lever I39 is thus disposed, the head '9I is in its lifted position.

In order to prevent violent movement of the frame 92 against the bracket 9| when the frame is moved to the extreme right hand inactive position, a spring buffer I43 (Fig. l) is disposed around the right hand end of the guide rod 83.

Means are provided for automatically disconnecting the motor drive, as well as other electrical elements of the system, when the stylus head 9| reaches its innermost recording position, For this purpose, a micro-switch I44 (Figs. 1 and 2) is supported on the bracket 62 ,1asby the aid of a member I45. This micro-switch has an operating spring member I43 projecting in the path of a pin I41 attached to the bracket I06.

Asframe92 moves towardthe left, ultimately pin l4! operates member I46 and causes de-energization of the system.

In the process of removing or replacing a record blank I, it is, of course, essential that the stylus head 9I be elevated so as to free the stylus 2 from the record blank. An arrangement is provided whereby it is assured that at least the stylus 2 will be elevated from the record when the coupling member (Fig. 3) is lifted to release the blank I. For this purpose a lifting bar I48 (Figs. '1, 2, l, and 14) is provided which extends below the-hook-like member I 50 attached to the front of the stylus head .9I. This lifting bar I43, as shown most clearly in Fig. 16, may be caused to engage the hook member I59 to lift the stylus 2 clear of the blank I.

A mechanism is provided whereby movement of the lever I3 for moving the coupling flange 45 upwardly causes upward movement of the lifting bar I48. This lifting bar for that purpose is shown as supported at its right hand end in a link I5I (Figs. 1 and 2) that is journalled upon the lead screw .shaft '57. At its left hand end the lifting bar I48 is fastened to the arm I52 that forms one element of a frame I53. This frame I53.-is likewise journalled upon the shaft 5.! and is confined between a collar I54 and the bearing boss 82.

The front portion I55 of the frame I53 extends directly in front of the worm 19, as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 14. Accordingly, when the lever I3 is moved to lift worm I0, it likewise engages the lower edge of the front portion I55 (see alsoFig. .15), tilting the frame I53 upwardly and thereby moving the lifting bar I48 upwardly.

In this upward movement of the stylus head SI, the upright member I29 need not be moved sufficiently to move the multilated nut I I I out of engagement with the lead screw .59. It is necessary only to release the stylus 2 from the record blank I, thereby permitting removal and replacement of the record blank.

The inventor claims:

1. In a phonograph device, a stylus head, a frame for .pivotally supporting said head, a lead screw extending transversely above the head for moving the frame, a mutilated nut movably carried by the frame for co-operating with said lead screw, .a flat spring carried by the frame for resiliently urging the nut downwardly into engagement with said lead screw, means for lifting the head to inactive position, means for releasably holding said lifting means in lifting position, and means carried by the upper portion of the head for contacting the nut and urging it to disengaged .position when the head is lifted.

2. In a phonograph device, a turntable for accommodating a disc record, means for driving said turntable, a stylus head, a lead screw for moving the head, and having an axis transverse to that of the table, and means constituting a drive from the table to the lead screw, comprising a driving member coaxial with the table, a driven wheel mounted on the lead screw and in co-operative relation with the driving member, a coupling member adapted to contact the upper surface of the disc record, and attached to the driving member, a spring urging said coupling member into contact with the record, means for lift- .ing said coupling member off the record to permit removal orinsertion of a record, and means operating .to lift the stylus head clear of the record, and operated by said lifting means.

3. In a phonograph device, a stylus head, a

frame supporting the head, a lead screw co-opcrating with the frame to move the head in accordance with the rotation of the screw, a guide rod for the frame, about which the frame is adapted for free angular movement and means mounted on the frame and encircling the lead screw, forming an additional guide for the frame and restraining the frame against movement about the rod.

4. In a phonograph device, a stylus head, a frame supporting the head, a lead screw co-opcrating with the frame to move the head in accordance with the rotation of the screw, a guide rod for the frame, and one or more collars movably carried by the frame for adjustment with respect to said rod, and having interior cylindrical surfaces that form a running fit over the lead screw.

5. In a phonograph device: a stylus head, a frame pivotally supporting said head, a lead screw extending transversely above the head for moving the frame, a mutilated nut movably carried by the frame and meshed with said lead screw, a spring connected to the frame and resiliently holding the nut in meshing engagement with said lead screw, linkage concatenated with the head and operable to lift the head to inactive position, a holding mechanism disposed in supporting relationship with respect to said linkage and adapted to support the linkage in its head-lifting position, an intermediate piece carried by an upper portion of the head and engageable with the nut to unmesh it against the action of said spring when the head is lifted a predetermined distance, and a, lifting piece and mechanism associated therewith disposed adjacent the head and arranged to lift the head to a clearance position so that a record can be removed from the turntable.

6. In a phonograph device: a turntable, a stylus head disposed for movement through a generally radial path traversing the turntable, a frame pivotally supporting said head, a lead screw juxtaposed adjacent to the head for moving the frame through said path, a nut movably carried by the frame and movable thereupon into mesh with said lead screw, a spring carried by the frame and resiliently urging the nut into meshing engagement with said lead screw, linkage concatenated with the head and operable to lift the head to inactive position, an intermediate piece carried by an upper portion of the head for contacting the nut and urging it to disengaged position when the head is lifted to said inactive position, an elongated lifting piece and mechanism associated therewith disposed adjacent said generally radial path and arranged to lift the head at any point along its path of travel to a clearance position so that a record can be removed from the turntable, and a control member associated with said elongated piece and operable to actuate said elongated piece.

7. In a phonograph device: a turntable for accommodating a disc record, a drive for said turntable in driving relationship therewith, a stylus head facing said turntable, a lead screw having an axis transverse to that of the table and arranged to move the head through a path of travel, a driving member coaxial with and overlying the table, a wheel mounted on the lead screw in cooperative driven relation with the driving member, a coupling member attached to the driving member and disposed to contact the upper surface of the disc record and be turned thereby, a spring acting upon said coupling memher and urging said coupling member into contact with the record, a lever mechanism connected with said coupling member to lift said coupling member off the record to permit removal or replacement thereof, and an assembly associated with the stylus head and operated by said lever mechanism for lifting the stylus head clear of the record.

8. In a, phonograph device: a turntable for accommodating a disc record, a drive for said turntable in driving relationship therewith, a stylus head facing said turntable, a lead screw arranged to move the head through a path of travel and having an axis transverse to that of the table, a driving member coaxial with and overlying the table, a wheel mounted on the lead screw in cooperative driven relation with the driving member, a coupling member attached to the driving member and disposed to contact the upper surface of the disc record and be turned thereby, a lever mechanism connected with said coupling member to lift said coupling member off the record to permit removal or replacement thereof, an assembly associated with the stylus head and operated by said lever mechanism for lifting the stylus head clear of the record, a lifting bar extending along the path of travel of a part associated with the stylus head, and a linkage in cooperative relationship with the lift ing bar and arranged to actuate the lifting bar to lift the stylus head clear of the record at any point along its path of travel.

9. In a phonograph device: a stylus head, a frame pivotally supporting the head, a lead screw cooperating with the frame to move the h ad forwardly or backwardly in accordance with the direction of rotation of the screw, a guide rod for the frame upon which the frame is freely carried, a guide member mounted on the frame and encircling the lead screw to restrain the frame against angular movement about the guide rod, a feed nut carried upon the frame and normally meshed with the feed screw to establish a driving relationship, and an interlock mechanism coupled with the stylus head and actuatable to unmesh the feed nut from the feed screw.

10. In a phonograph device: a stylus head, a frame pivotally supporting the head, a lead screw cooperating with the frame to move the head forwardly or backwardly in accordance with the direction of rotation of the screw, a guide rod for the frame upon which the frame is freely carried, a guide member mounted on the frame and encircling the lead screw to restrain the frame against angular movement about the guide rod, a lifting lever and intermediate linkage coupled to the stylus head whereby the head may be lifted to an inactive position, and a lifting mechanism associated with the stylus head and automatically actuated by an assembly forming a part of the phonograph device to lift the stylus head to an inactive position whenever said assembly is caused to perform a predetermined operation.

GEORGE P. BRUBAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,291,515 Hinckley Jan. 14, 1919 1,827,519 Hansen Oct. 13, 1931 1,833,789 Mitchell Nov, 24, 1931 (Other references on following page) Number UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,323,365 Number Name Date 2,340,418 1,853,650 Zullo Apr. 12, 1932 2,340,653 1,998,137 Jones et a1 Apr. 16, 1935 5 2,380,727 2,082,353 Proctor June 1, 1937 2,241,622 Silber et a1. May 13, 1941 2,254,839 Conrad Sept. 2, 1941 Number 2,262,148 Runge Nov. 11, 1941 539,492 2,266,763 Johnson Dec. 23, 1941 19 719,966 2,293,219 Rieber Aug. 18, 1942 2,302,732 Yetman Nov. 24, 1942 Name Date Andrews July 6, 1943 Gabel Feb. 1, 1944 Goldman Feb. 1, 1944 Dann July 31, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 12, 1941 France Nov. 24. 1931 

